Scunthorpe have failed in an attempt to secure a loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith after the player's agent rejected their offer.

Iron manager Nigel Adkins told BBC Radio Humberside: "We did show an interest in Jimmy Smith.

"Chelsea were quite keen on it but his agent has not been keen and agents rule the world at this moment in time."

The 21-year-old midfielder spent time on loan at Norwich earlier in the season and also impressed during a spell at QPR in 2006-2007, but Adkins was forced to admit defeat in his pursuit of the player.

"He's got Championship experience and he's scored goals in the Championship from a midfield point of view," said Adkins.

"It's all up in the open, but I'll be perfectly honest, we want people who are going to be totally committed to the cause at this moment in time.

"I want people with the right attitude who are going to be with us for the next 10 games because we have got to be up for the fight.

"You never say never, but I think it's going to be unlikely now."

Tom Williams / Eurosport